U.S. authorities have arrested a 71-year-old Frenchman on charges of migrant smuggling off the coast of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A Wednesday statement from the U.S. Department of Justice identifies the suspect as Alain Rene Leichtnam. Agents with several U.S. law enforcement agencies intercepted his catamaran off the island of St. John during early morning hours of April 29.
A complaint alleges that Leichtnam was operating the vessel with 38 Cubans and one St. Lucian aboard. None of the passengers had any documents allowing them to enter U.S. territory.
Leichtnam or a lawyer representing him could not be reached to comment on the charges.
He faces up to 10 years in prison on the charges if found to be smuggling migrants for financial gain.
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